Listen to Fixing the festival problem, the Coalition’s nuclear push, LGBTQIA+ safety in football + more01:13:2615 April 2024

Warning: this episode contains topics around mental health, violence and the recent attack at Bondi Junction on Saturday April 13. If any of these issues bring you distress, you can visit lifeline at lifeline.org.au or speak with someone on 13 11 14.

This episode also contains discussion of homophobia and queerphobia in sport - if you find any of this distressing, you can receive specialised peer support via QLife on 1800 184 527 or head to switchboard.org.au for more info.

Dr Christen Cornell, Researcher at Creative Australia, discusses the new research report Soundcheck which analyses the challenges facing the Australian music festival sector amid the recent cancellation of Splendour in the Grass and a number of other Australian music culture mainstays. (0:47)

Cam Walker, campaigns coordinator at Friends of the Earth, shares his insights on the Coalition’s recent announcement of the push for nuclear power in its energy policy, and reflects on the 50-year anniversary of Friends of the Earth and their place in community anti-nuclear campaigning. (16:27)

Amateur footballer and coach Michael O’Donnell gets into the AFL suspending Jeremy Finlayson for using a homophobic slur, and offers his thoughts on broader issues around safety and the embrace of gay players across professional and amateur levels. (30:24)

Dr Anna Ross, Research Fellow at The University of Melbourne, speaks on the responsibility of media reporting on crime and reducing stigma around mental health following the attack at Bondi Junction on Saturday April 13. (43:56)

Finally, Melbourne pop eccentric artist Gregor visits to chat about his return from musical hiatus and his creative processes and inspirations as he gears up for his forthcoming album Satanic Lullabies, out May 10 on Chapter Records. (54:37)

About this program

Talks and interviews spanning current affairs, politics, society, culture, and music.
From the offbeat to the upbeat. The local to the global. 
Taking stock of where we are, where we've been, and where we're going.

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